"Don't Let Me Down"
Single by The Chainsmokers featuring Daya
from the EP Collage
ReleasedFebruary 5, 2016
Genre
Length3:28
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Chainsmokers
The Chainsmokers singles chronology
"New York City"
(2015)
"Don't Let Me Down"
(2016)
"Inside Out"
(2016)
Daya singles chronology
"Sit Still, Look Pretty"
(2015)
"Don't Let Me Down"
(2016)
"Words"
(2016)
Music video
"Don't Let Me Down" on YouTube

"Don't Let Me Down" is a song by American production duo the Chainsmokers featuring vocals from American singer Daya. It was released on February 5, 2016, through Disruptor Records and Columbia Records.[4][5] The song was written by Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren, and Scott Harris. It was released as the radio single follow-up to "Roses".

"Don't Let Me Down" became both the Chainsmokers' and Daya's first top-five single on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three. It also became the Chainsmokers' second consecutive top 10 entry after "Roses", which peaked at number six. It reached the top 10 in several countries, including Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. A set of remixes for the song, was released on April 15, 2016. A music video for the song was released on April 29, 2016, with appearances from the Chainsmokers and Daya.

The song won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.[6]

In 2021, the song received a diamond certification by the RIAA for selling 10 million units in the United States.

Background and composition

In an interview, Taggart stated that he first created the drop during a flight. The duo later added a "big, echoey guitar sound" to the song, inspired by the bands the xx and Explosions in the Sky, by using a Fender electric guitar and a software plugin. Emily Warren and Scott Harris convened with the duo to create the melody and lyrics. However, the vocalist was not chosen until Taggart heard Daya's "Hide Away", after which the duo enlisted her to record the vocals in the studio.[7] The song was originally intended for Rihanna, but her team rejected it.[8]

The key of the song was originally a step lower, but the duo changed it in order to better accommodate Daya's range. The third drop, which includes the saxophone, was created later in the process.[7] The song has a double-time tempo of 80 beats per minute and a key of G♯ minor. "Don't Let Me Down" follows a chord progression of E  B  F  Gm, and Daya's vocals span from G3 to C5.[9]

Critical reception

“Don’t Let Me Down” received critical acclaim. Robbie Daw of Idolator stated "[Don't Let Me Down] kicks off with a haunting guitar loop and 17-year-old Daya lamenting that she's 'crashing, hit a wall, right now I need a miracle.' By the time the chorus sweeps in, the song shifts into full-on trap mode" and called it a "trappy collaboration".[4] Popdust's Jason Scott claimed "[Don't Let Me Down] is an enormously engaging strip of gritty dance-club euphoria. Percussion vibrates underneath a well-constructed skyscraper of synth and evocative vocals from the 17-year-old Daya."[10] Rolling Stone named "Don't Let Me Down" one of the 30 best songs of the first half of 2016, writing "EDM may not dominate the charts the way it used to but the Chainsmokers' swirling, turnt-up love song proves the genre has a little fight left in it. Newcomer Daya goes to battle with the aggro, big room beats and ends up coming out on top."[11]

Chart performance

In the United States, the single debuted at number 85 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week of February 27, 2016 but fell off the chart the next week. It made a re-entry at number 81 for the week of March 12, 2016. The song reached a peak of number three for the week of July 16, 2016, and spent 23 weeks in the top 10; it was later named the eighth best-performing single of the year by Billboard (two spots above the duo's number-one hit "Closer").[12]

In the United Kingdom, "Don't Let Me Down" became the Chainsmokers' highest-charting hit (until "Closer" which reached the top of the chart in September 2016) when the song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart on the issue dated July 21, 2016, spending 11 weeks in the top 10.

Music video

The music video for the song was released to YouTube on April 29, 2016.[13]

In the video, Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall (the Chainsmokers) get into a yellow convertible, lowrider at sunrise and begin to drive down a wooded mountain road. Intercut with shots of them driving is Daya, dressed in black leather pants and jacket, singing in a misty field full of bushes. Taggart and Pall stop the car when Daya, surrounded by dancers dressed similarly to her, stand in the middle of the road, blocking it. Daya sings as the girls perform dance moves around her while Taggart and Pall watch from the car. Suddenly, the cars hydraulic suspension begins bouncing up and down on its wheels. As the beat progresses, the rocking of the car becomes more violent and aggressive. Towards the end of the song, the rocking lifts Taggart and Pall out of the car and they are suspended in the air as the girls disperse. The music video was based around the show Supernatural, Taggart and Pall, representing Sam and Dean as they encounter and face in the woods a group of witches.

As of September 2022, the video has received 1.8 billion views on YouTube.[14]

Cover versions

Usher covered "Don't Let Me Down" in BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge on September 5, 2016.[15]

Denver, CO heavy metal band, Immortal Sÿnn, released a cover of the song on November 3, 2016.[16][17]

Singer Joy Williams released a cover of the song on March 12, 2017.

Lyca Gairanod, winner of The Voice Kids Philippines first season, covered the song in a local morning show Umagang Kay Ganda (Lit. A Morning So Beautiful) in early 2017.

In other media

The song was featured in the television series Lucifer, Degrassi: Next Class and Younger.

In March 2017, the Joy Williams version of the song was used in a State Farm Insurance commercial.[18]

The song is featured as exclusive content on Just Dance 2017's subscription-based content, Just Dance Unlimited.

An instrumental version was used prominently as part of the BBC's 2017 UK General Election coverage.

It was played during the swimsuit competition of Miss Universe 2016.

Track listing

Digital download[5]
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya)3:28
Digital download – remixes EP[19]
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (W&W remix)3:15
2."Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (Illenium remix)3:40
3."Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (Zomboy remix)4:26
4."Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (Ephwurd remix)4:05
5."Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (Ricky Remedy remix)4:39
6."Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya and Konshens) (Dom Da Bomb x Electric Bodega Mixshow remix)3:25
Total length:23:30
Digital download – Hardwell and Sephyx remix[20]
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Let Me Down" (featuring Daya) (Hardwell and Sephyx remix)2:42

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[93] 9× Platinum 630,000
Austria (IFPI Austria)[94] Platinum 30,000
Belgium (BEA)[95] 3× Platinum 60,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[96] 3× Diamond 750,000
Canada (Music Canada)[97] 9× Platinum 720,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[98] 2× Platinum 180,000
France (SNEP)[99] Diamond 233,333
Germany (BVMI)[100] Diamond 1,000,000
Italy (FIMI)[101] 6× Platinum 300,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[102] Diamond 300,000
Netherlands (NVPI)[103] 3× Platinum 90,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[104] 2× Platinum 30,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[105] 4× Platinum 200,000
Portugal (AFP)[106] 2× Platinum 20,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[107] 3× Platinum 120,000
Sweden (GLF)[108] 6× Platinum 240,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[109] 3× Platinum 1,800,000
United States (RIAA)[110] Diamond 10,000,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various February 6, 2016 Digital download [5]
United States March 22, 2016 Top 40 radio [111]
April 15, 2016 Digital download
(Remixes EP)
[112]

References

  1. 1 2 "For The Record: How The Chainsmokers' "Don't Let Me Down" Set The Duo Up For Global Success — And The Freedom To Defy Dance Music Expectations". www.grammy.com. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  2. Cridlin, Jay. "Daya talks New Year's Eve shows, 2017 collaborations and more". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  3. Martins, Chris. "The Chainsmokers on Ruling the Billboard Hot 100 & Owning the 'Frat Bro' Label". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Daw, Robbie (February 5, 2016). "The Chainsmokers & Daya's 'Don't Let Me Down': Listen To The Trappy Collaboration – Idolator". Idolator. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Various digital release of "Don't Let Me Down":
  6. Pharms, Gabrielle (February 13, 2017). "The Chainsmokers win GRAMMY for Best Dance Recording with 'Don't Let Me Down' featuring Daya". DJMag. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Coscarelli, Joe (July 28, 2016). "Music Producers Explain How They Created a Hit". The New York Times. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  8. Brandle, Lars (October 13, 2016). "The Chainsmokers Talk Lady Gaga, Rihanna & Chris Martin Collab in New Interview". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  9. Scott, Harris (April 5, 2016). "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya "Don't Let Me Down" Sheet Music in B Major – Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  10. Scott, Jason (February 5, 2016). "Listen to The Chainsmokers' Dizzying 'Don't Let Me Down' Featuring Daya – Popdust". Popdust. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  11. "30 Best Songs of 2016 So Far". Rolling Stone. June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  12. "The Best-Selling Singles of 2016". Yahoo! Music. December 19, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  13. "The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down ft. Daya—Youtube". YouTube. April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  14. "The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down (Video) ft. Daya". YouTube. April 29, 2016.
  15. Blistein, Jon. "Watch Usher's Gritty Cover of the Chainsmokers' 'Don't Let Me Down'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  16. "Immortal Sÿnn". www.facebook.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  17. "Don't Let Me Down" from Don't Let Me Down – Single by Immortal Sÿnn on iTunes, November 3, 2016, retrieved April 12, 2018
  18. "State Farm TV Commercial, 'Following'". iSpot.tv. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  19. "Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) [Remixes] - EP by The Chainsmokers on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  20. "iTunes (US) – Music – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) [Hardwell & Sephyx remix] – Single". iTunes (US). May 20, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  21. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  22. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  23. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  24. "Top 20 General" (in Russian). Unistar Radio Top 20. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016.
  25. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  26. "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  27. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201628 into search. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  28. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201624 into search. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  29. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Tracklisten. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  30. "The Chainsmokers: Don't Let Me Down (Feat. Daya)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  31. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  32. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  33. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  34. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  35. "Radio Mirchi Angrezi Top 20". The Times of India. July 15, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  36. "Chart Track: Week 28, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  37. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Top Digital Download. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  38. "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  39. "Latvijas Top 40". Latvijas Radio. May 29, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  40. "The Official Lebanese Top 20". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  41. "Mexico Top 20 General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  42. "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  43. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  44. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  45. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". VG-lista. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  46. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  47. "Romanian International Top 10 Singles Chart". Media Forest. June 13, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  48. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  49. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201624 into search. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  50. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201626 into search. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  51. "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Archived from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  52. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  53. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  54. "The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  55. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  56. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  57. "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  58. "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  59. "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  60. "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  61. "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  62. "The Chainsmokers Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  63. "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2016". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  64. "Ö3 Austria Top 40 – Single-Charts 2016". oe3.orf.at. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  65. "Jaaroverzichten 2016". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  66. "Rapports Annuels 2016". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  67. "Canadian Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  68. "Track Top-100, 2016". Hitlisten.NU. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  69. "Top de l'année Top Singles 2016" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  70. "Top 100 Jahrescharts 2016". GfK Entertainment (in German). mtv.de. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  71. "Single Top 100 - eladási darabszám alapján - 2016". Mahasz. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  72. "TÓNLISTINN – LÖG – 2016". Plötutíóindi (in Icelandic). Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  73. "Classifiche "Top of the Music" 2016 FIMI-GfK: La musica italiana in vetta negli album e nei singoli digitali" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original (Click on Scarica allegato to download the zipped file containing the year-end chart PDF documents) on January 9, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  74. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2016". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  75. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2016". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  76. "New Zealand Top 50 Songs – Year-End 2016". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  77. "Top 100 Songs Annual 2016" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  78. "Årslista Singlar – År 2016" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  79. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2016 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  80. Myers, Justin (December 30, 2016). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2016". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  81. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  82. "Adult Pop Songs: Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  83. "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  84. "Pop Songs – Year End 2016". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  85. "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  86. "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs : Year End 2017". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  87. "Streaming Songs - Year-End". Billboard. 2017. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  88. "2019 ARIA End of Decade Singles Chart". ARIA. January 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  89. "Platz 23 der erfolgreichsten Singles und Alben des Jahrzehnts: @TheChainsmokers und @thisiscro". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved December 11, 2019 via Twitter.
  90. Copsey, Rob (December 11, 2019). "The UK's Official Top 100 biggest songs of the decade". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  91. "Decade-End Charts: Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  92. "Decade-End Charts: Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (2013-ON)". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  93. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  94. "Austrian single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Dont let Me Down" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  95. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2017". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  96. "Brazilian single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  97. "Canadian single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down". Music Canada. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  98. "Danish single certifications – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved March 27, 2018. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2018 to obtain certification.
  99. "French single certifications – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  100. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Chainsmokers feat. Daya)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  101. "Italian single certifications – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't let me Down" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 5, 2018. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Don't let me Down" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  102. "Certificados Musicales Amprofon (in Spanish)". Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  103. "Dutch single certifications – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved October 4, 2021. Enter Don't Let Me Down in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2016 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  104. "New Zealand single certifications – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  105. "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 22, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Don't Let Me Down in the search box.
  106. "Portuguese single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  107. "Spanish single certifications – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya – Don't Let Me Down". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  108. "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 8, 2017 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 5, 2018. Scroll to position 86 to view certification.
  109. "British single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  110. "American single certifications – The Chainsmokers – Don't Let Me Down". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  111. "Top 40/M Future Releases – Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". AllAccess Music Group. March 22, 2016. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  112. "Don't Let Me Down (feat. Daya) [Remixes] – EP by The Chainsmokers on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.